Kindergarten Parents as Study Buddies in the PostPandemic: Their Roles, Challenges, and Coping Mechanisms in Their Children's Developmental Domains

The shift from the pandemic to the new normal became crucial to the educational landscape, especially challenging the roles of parents as study buddies of kindergarten learners. This qualitative phenomenological study explores kindergarten parents' roles, challenges, and coping mechanisms while supporting their children's developmental domains during the post-pandemic period. There were seven participants for In-Depth Interview (IDI) and another seven for Focus-Group Discussion (FGD) who came from Mati Central 1, Mati Central 2, Rabat Rocamora Mati Central Elementary School (RRMCESPED), and Mayor Santiago Garcia Memorial School in Mati Central District, Schools Division of the City of Mati. Results of the thematic analysis revealed nine key themes: supporting academic growth and development; giving emotional support and a nurturing environment; maintaining children's learning drive; balancing work and parenting responsibilities; efficiently managing time; collaboration with educators; watching educational videos; staying strong and patient; and utilizing rewards and reinforcement. These themes provide a comprehensive understanding of how kindergarten parents have adapted and engaged with their children's education in the post-pandemic, showcasing their roles, challenges, and coping strategies in supporting their children's developmental domains. Despite the challenges they faced as study buddies, they demonstrated resilience and discovered effective coping strategies in facing the challenges.